The more our society demands equality for gays, blacks, and other minorities, the more dangerous the bigots become. The more we demand economic fairness, the more dangerous the wealthy and corporations become. The more people demand equal justice, the more dangerous the cops and prosecutors become. The Koch Brothers. The Ferguson PD. The Tea Party. Every Republican office-holder in Texas. And Kansas and Florida. And Ohio. Wall Street. Walmart. Hobby Lobby. These are all people and institutions which, if separated from their brand familiarity and PR power, would be appealing to exactly no one, for they are demonstrably awful and destructive. They represent nothing good, nothing productive, and nothing just. They are corrupt and they are thieves. They lie to you while they steal from you -- and your children. So what do you do? What can you do? People in power do not cede their control without a fight. And they seldom lose fights. There is no proving them wrong or appealing to their common sense. Its hard enough -- in fact, its usually impossible -- to get even one of their followers to listen to reason. To wit, teachers in Texas WILL VOTE for Greg Abbott in November. As will working mothers, minorities, senior citizens, and the poor. All despite that fact that he has NEVER DONE A THING to support their interests and has, in fact, worked nonstop against them. Theres no changing a mind which has been made up to ignore abuse and embrace the abuser. Nothing. Better to focus your energy elsewhere. So what do you do? What do you do if you want equality for gays, women, and minorities? Economic fairness for all? A return to protect and serve instead of harrass and harm? Would you like to see honest -- or at least less corrupt -- prosecutors? Education separate from religion and politics? Fair taxes? Useful government regulations and oversight? An unfettered right to vote? Access to healthcare without politically-motivated restrictions? Well, you can start by registering to vote. Grab three friends and get them to register. The deadline in Texas is October 6. Then, vote. Make those three friends vote. Vote early. Vote by mail. Vote in person. Just vote. Im not naive. It takes more than one election -- more than several elections -- to affect change. But its the only way that works in the long run. So vote for people -- at every level, including school boards, city councils and county commissioners courts -- who actually want to govern. Vote for people who favor democracy over theocracy. Who favor practicality over ideology. Vote for people willing to compromise. If there are no candidates fitting that description, find one. Become one. But first, register. Then vote. Convince your family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors to register, then vote. Do it.
Posted on: Sat, 20 Sep 2014 14:01:05 +0000
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